Summer Salad with Fruit

This Summer Salad with Fruit is a light and filling meal on a hot day! It makes an easy, healthy vegetarian lunch idea, or serve as a side or at a backyard barbecue.

I don’t even know who I am anymore.

I’m totally not a salad person. At least that’s what I’ve always told myself.

Chunks of watery iceberg lettuce topped with underripe tomatoes and globs of thick dressing was all I knew growing up. Wisconsin isn’t exactly a wonderland of fresh produce year round. In the last few years I’ve discovered just how adaptable salads can be, and how light and easy it is to dress them.

Ingredients

• Spring greens
• Baby spinach
• Seedless grapes
• Strawberries
• Mandarin oranges
• Walnuts
• Gorgonzola cheese
• Avocado
• Lemon
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

How to make summer salad with fruit

1. In a large bowl, toss together the spring greens and spinach.
2. Add grapes, strawberries, oranges, walnuts, and cheese and toss gently to combine.
3. Divide between two plates. Divide avocado amongst the two plates and squeeze the lemon over the top to taste.
4. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Top tips

Simple salad dressing

This salad is simply dressed with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. No mixing or jar shaking required. Of course you could mix them together if you like, or swap this with a store bought vinaigrette.

Salt and pepper on salads

Also, are you sprinkling your salad with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper? You should be! It helps balance the flavors just right.

I like to use coarse kosher salt (mine is Morton’s, but Diamond Crystal is great too), and freshly grind my pepper for the best flavor.

How to store

Salad greens start to wilt as soon as they’re dressed or mixed with other ingredients, so I recommend keeping the greens and dressing separate from everything else if storing leftovers. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator of up to 3 days.

Tips for customizing summer salad with fruit

• Use your favorite leafy greens such as watercress, arugula, or romaine
• Swap or add other summer fruits such as ripe peaches, plums, or cherries
• Add charred corn, cut off the cob, for extra sweetness and crunch
• Divide the salad amongst whole grain wraps for a healthy sandwich option
• Swap the gorgonzola for crumbled feta, fresh mozzarella pearls, or your other favorite cheese

More salad recipes

• Honey Vanilla Summer Fruit Salad
• High Protein Vegan Salad with Hummus
• Green Salad with Sriracha Peanut Dressing
• Peach Burrata Caprese
• Burrata Caprese
• Roast Pumpkin Salad
• The Best Easy Vegan Salad
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad
• Winter Salad with Butternut Squash
• Pizza Salad
• Kale and Sweet Potato Salad

If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

Recipe